CAPAIDS-Uganda Home of Hope

CAPAIDS-Uganda Home of Hope Background

Northern Uganda, where CAPAIDS-Uganda works, is still recovering from a civil war. Because of that, communities face high rates of poverty and higher rates of HIV/AIDS. Youth unemployment is also very high and youth HIV infection rates that are on the rise. CAPAIDS-Uganda works with communities to resist, survive and overcome HIV/AIDS.

CAPAIDS-Uganda runs the Home of Hope, where they support HIV outreach and provide a safe space for community groups to come together. They also work directly with women’s groups to increase capacity and implement projects in local villages. Recent upgrades to the Home of Hope have expanded the offering to offer a transitional life centre to vulnerable young women and children. Here they can access health care and, most importantly, develop skills for sustainable livelihoods.

CAPAIDS-Uganda was formed in 2006. Since then they have worked with the CAP/AIDS Solidarity Community to implement many community led programs throughout East Africa focused on relieving poverty, preventing HIV, and expanding access to education. They have twice acted as the regional implementing partner for projects funded by the Government of Canada. They have also hosted many CAP interns over the years. CAPAIDS-Uganda and CAP/AIDS work together in strengthening operational capacity, in identifying local funding opportunities and in developing relevant projects.

The HoH provides residence and training to young women aged 16-24 to support them in accessing counselling and primary health care and provide them training for life skills and livelihood skills. Residents stay at the HoH for a period of four months, after which they are supported in transitioning to safe shelter and independent living.

Priority is given to young women who face multiple layers of vulnerability including:

Girls who have dropped out of school

Girls who have been affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS, have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS or have parents who are living with HIV/AIDS and can hardly fend for the family for example sustain their children in school.

Girls from child headed families and we will have to opt for the second eldest girl and not the eldest since they are the breadwinner.

Breastfeeding mothers who are teenagers and are not living with the fathers of their children and do not have any source of income to sustain themselves. At least we should consider a maximum of three of these breastfeeding mothers. Having too many can be more costly and it also hinders the mothers from participating and concentrating during time for training in the IGAs.

Teenage girls who are living with HIV/AIDS and are on treatment that is taking their ARVs. We need to talk to the family first or the guardian to ensure that they are in agreement that their daughter should be taken.

Girls who have been abused for example through the burden of domestic work or have been sexually abused. First of all they need continuous counseling and also the skills rendered by the project.

The first cohort of 12 women (and two babies) will complete their stay in November 2018. They are thriving due to the support and mentorship they are receiving. CAPAIDS-Uganda is also working on growing their farm. They use the farm to train women in agricultural livelihoods. Even if they chose another way to earn money, backyard farming is a great way to supplement their household income!

Get Involved

The CAP/AIDS Solidarity Community raises funds to support the Home of Hope transitional centre through community events in Ottawa and Vancouver. They also work with CAP Network to share information and news from the Home of Hope and the community in northern Uganda.